In the News

Many federal candidates are receiving thousands of dollars from organizations on both sides of the abortion debate. And in this landscape, abortion rights groups are far out-spending groups opposed to abortion this election cycle.

The only former rock musician in Congress is getting some last-minute financial support from another star of the music world: Rock legend Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen has contributed $2,400 to Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.), according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of campaign finance records filed Friday.

As enthusiasm among conservatives surges, embattled Democrats may be placing their faith in the old Washington maxim that money delivers success on Election Day. That’s because heading into the final weeks of the campaign season, Democrats — not Republicans — maintained a financial edge in the most competitive House races across the country, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis indicates.

Heading into the final stretch of the 2010 election, six House incumbents — five Democrats and one Republican — have less money left in their campaign coffers than their best-funded challengers, according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of the campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Incumbency is a monumental obstacle to overcome for any political challenger. But 11 congressional challengers — nine Republicans and two Democrats — have managed to raise more money than their incumbent rivals, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis found.

The trade association for eye doctors has made a six-figure media buy to boost the fortunes of a New York Republican whose political fate may help determine whether the GOP seizes control of the U.S. House. The political action committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology on Wednesday reported a cable television advertisement buy to the tune of $141,300 — the group’s largest independent expenditure to date this election cycle.

Incumbency is a monumental obstacle to overcome for any political challenger. But 10 congressional challengers have managed to raise more money — an average of about $640,000 — than their incumbent rivals, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis found.

Eight House incumbents — six Democrats and two Republicans — have less money left in their campaign coffers at the end of June than their best-funded challengers, according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of the campaign finance data reported last week to the Federal Election Commission.

OMB HEAD SPINS OUT, NEW ONE SPINS IN: Jacob Lew, Obama’s new pick to head the Office of Management and Budget, has more than 30 years of experience in Washington, spinning through the revolving door between the public and private sectors on multiple occasions.

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